Tucked into a part of northeastern Connecticut labeled “The Quiet Corner”, Hampton has been a rural sanctuary for many years. Tadpoles may break the silence in spring and coyotes at any time. Those who chose Hampton are scholars, farmers, writers, environmentalists, teachers, musicians, and skilled artisans. Tolerance of differences is a keystone of the town although it isn’t rare for opposing opinions to be heard at Town Meetings.
Into this mix came a new community within the community. The Mennonites became part of a blended group of people who call Hampton home. They have farms and houses, seniors and newborns, they are active in town activities, and most important, they demonstrate in every action the joy of caring for those in need.
During a time of pandemic, the world is aware of the necessity of social distancing. The Mennonites demonstrate the need for helping others regardless of the rules. Isolation may stop the spread of a virus but other hazards can add to the troubles of life. A recent storm is just one example of an event that requires a more hands-on approach to survival without power for light, water, refrigeration, TV, air conditioning/heat, or even cell phones. On Tuesday, August 11, the wind blew through Hampton for hours. The heavy thud of falling trees and branches continued as the velocity of the gusts grew. By morning, the town was without power and the loudest sound was from properties lucky enough to have working generators.
Vernon King is a member of the Mennonite community and teacher for the older children in their school. He posted a message on the Next Door page of the neighborhood website and found the need for generators was high. Vernon has long assisted CAM, a Christian Aid Ministries that is international in its reach. CAM’s volunteers number 65,849, and they are ready to help through disaster response services from house rebuilding to major property clean-ups. As a member of CAM’s North East response team, Vernon was able to locate generators at the warehouse in Tennessee. Joe Nicholes was attending a meeting in Illinois. When Vernon reached him, he left and made the six-hour drive to the Tennessee warehouse. There he picked up a trailer of generators, ready for use. Joe drove the sixteen hours home as quickly as possible and 14 of the power outages in Hampton were ended on Saturday. Vernon’s dad, Andy, brought three generators from his own tool trailer on Thursday adding up to a grand total of seventeen working generators.
This storm is history for Hampton. On August 27, another rush of wind and rain hit Connecticut causing damage and power outages. On Saturday the 29th. CAM was in New Haven with its volunteers.
This is a story with warmth and good will. We all need help at some time and hope it will be there. The aftermath of the August storm should reassure folks. There is no doubt of the good will around us. As Vernon King put it, “The labor is voluntary and is a gift of love from God sent through us to those we are able to help.”
And on a Hampton note, thank you, Mike Chapel, for convincing the Mennonite community to settle here.
Jean Romano